Thread: Salomon 997 Plastic toe vs Metal toe...share experiences

Hey Folks,

So I have some 997 equipe drivers 14 din with the plastic toe wings. I have searched a ton and there is loads of information but not on exactly what I'm looking for. I have a lot of experience with the metal toed 916s. Can anyone attest to the limitations, if any, of the plastic toe version? vs the metal ones?

I'm thinking about mounting a pair up for this season, but I don't want problems but i also wouldn't mind saving weight and money. I weigh 165lbs, and I'm pretty hard on my gear. I'd be pretty close to maxing out the din.

Has anyone charged pretty hard on these things without incident?

I have to say that to the best of my knowledge, the 14din 997, s900, or any other variation has never come with a metal toe. Only the 16 din and up versions. i use both religiously except for touring, and I've been happy with the performance of both.

I'm 5'8", 160 ski at a 10 or 11 din. I'm no seth morrison or ian mac, but I think I ski pretty hard, and although very meticulous, I am pretty hard on my gear.

I prefer the all metal, because i know i don't have to worry about something breaking. Every time I click in, that solid feeling is so reassuring, and boosts my confidence about sticking whatever line I ski. But I have to do have to say, the lighter weight with the 14 din is nice, and although they feel slightly less solid, I've never ran into any issues with durability, cracking, blowing up or anything of the sort. I think that if you're going for a non all metal binding, the 997s with the metal heel are by far one of the most durable bindings out there.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

thanks for the info njfreeskier. Its interesting, they've had the sth 16 with plastic toes now for a while...and I remember seeing a video of Kaj at the verbier extremes rocking those. I set my din at 12 with look and 13 with salomon but I think i might give these a shot.

Can anyone else chime in as to how these or the sth16s hold up to abuse?

edit: on second look I can't tell if they are sth or 916 steel. I wonder what Alkasquawlik has to say? he's a bigger guy, eh

The toe shape/mold on the 997 is different than the sth16. The 997 has the same mold as the old s900s(which were the next generation after the 997) but are plastic. The sth 16 uses the same mold/housing at the 914s. The sth 16s do blow up after extended use. I know some mags who put in like 50 days before they blew up. Kaj was on them, as were a lot of the other comp skiers, like Cody, when that's all they were producing. But now that they have the 916 steel again, I'm pretty sure that's the binding they're rocking, in comps anyway.

997 vs sth16 = 997 for the win! I would avoid the sth16s if you charge hard.

If you have a picture of the binding, I can probably tell. I'm stoked they came out with the all metal 916, but it's just too damn pricey.

Cody's not that big, he's a little taller than me, and a little heavier; he just skis like a freight train going mach speed.

If you can find all metal sally binders, go for it, best bindings around. If not, the 997 is a great substitute. I think the metal heels provide better retention than the plastic ones. In any event stay way from the sth 16, they do blow up when you charge.

Originally Posted by njfreeskier

I have to say that to the best of my knowledge, the 14din 997, s900, or any other variation has never come with a metal toe. Only the 16 din and up versions. i use both religiously except for touring, and I've been happy with the performance of both.

Agree on this, though I do know that 14 din metal 977s exist. I love the plastic toe 997s, great bindings for the price. Agreed that you can't beat the all metal ones though, if weight isn't a concern. Never a problem with the plastic toes though at 165 lbs skiing hard at din 10-11.

I haven't skied on the plastic toes before, but I have a small hoarde of the metal ones - none newer than the 900s generation. If you're on the fence and dont mind a little extra weight, I'd tell you to just go for some metal ones.

My reasoning: from my experience, not only are they more confidence inspiring as nj touched on, but frankly they last FOR-EV-ER... and I'm not even that nice to them ("stomping" them off every run, banging them against metal railings in tram line, etc). I'm still actively using 977 green springs on my powder skis, manufacturing time stamp in the bottom says 1993.